Herbert Newman

1936 - 2016

Herbert Newman October 26, 1936 - March 8, 2016 Herb Newman was born in Longmont Colorado the second son of C.W. and Emily Newman of Mead, Colorado in October 1936. He grew up in Mead, attending school there through the 11th grade, attending Longmont High for his senior year. After Graduation he attended the University of Colorado Boulder, working toward a degree in geology until he was summoned to service by Uncle Sam, where he was trained as a radio repairman, which led him into his life's work in the communications industry. After his discharge from the service he began working for the RCA Corporation in White Sands, New Mexico. From there he transferred to Gilmore Tracking station in Fairbanks Alaska in 1966. In 1974 he began working for RCA Alascom in construction of the Backbone communications system for the Trans Alaska Oil Pipeline. Alascom became the statewide leader in communications leader at that time, at which point he was elevated to the title of Manager of Field Operations, responsible for all maintenance, upkeep and new construction for the company and its assets. He retired in 1991 and began a new adventure as a communications manager for Penzoil in Baku, Azerbaijan. He and Joanne retired to the Phoenix area in 1994. After a couple of years in the sun, they moved back to Longmont to "The Ranch" on Vermillion Rd. settling in and reconnecting with many friends from their youth. In his own words "He had always felt like a feather in the wind - going where the wind took he and his family". He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Joanne; Their two sons Kurt (wife Lisa) and Erik; daughter Claire; granddaughters Ciara Newman and Sarah Newman. He will be greatly missed by a legion of friends who have been a large support group to both he and his family throughout his life as well as this last journey. Informal gatherings are planned in both Colorado and Alaska later this year to allow friends to bid him a more personal farewell.